Everything about ticks and fleas in dogs: recognising, preventing, removing and when to see a vet. Fidello's complete guide.

Table of contents

• What is a tick and what does it look like?
• When are ticks active?
• Where should you check your dog for ticks?
• How long does a tick need to be attached to cause infection?
• Can a dog have several ticks at once?
• Found a tick? Here's how to remove it safely
• Lyme disease, Anaplasma and other illnesses
• When should you call the vet?
• Puppies, seniors and cats: is it different?
• Fleas in dogs: the other summer problem
• Prevention: choose the right product
• Comparison: which product suits your dog?
• Don't forget the environment and the garden
• Frequently asked questions
• Related products and categories

Summary at a glance

• Ticks are active from March to November, peaking from May to September.
• Check your dog after every walk, especially the ears, armpits, groin and between the toes.
• The shorter a tick stays attached, the lower the chance of disease transmission — so remove it as quickly and completely as possible.
• Lyme disease and Anaplasma are the best-known tick-borne diseases in dogs in the Netherlands.
• Chewable tablets, collars, spot-ons and ultrasonic devices all work differently — the best choice depends on your dog's lifestyle and health.
• Fleas are harder to eradicate than ticks, because a large part of their life cycle takes place in your home, not on your dog.

What is a tick and what does it look like?

A tick isn't an insect but an arachnid (like a spider or mite) that feeds on blood. Unfed ticks are flat and greyish-brown, no bigger than a pinhead or sesame seed — making them easy to overlook in your dog's coat. Once a tick has fed, it swells into a greyish-blue, pea-shaped lump that can grow to a centimetre in size.

Two species are most common in the Netherlands:

• Ixodes ricinus (the castor bean tick or sheep tick) — by far the most common species, found in woodland, dunes, parks and gardens.
• Dermacentor reticulatus (the marsh tick) — more often found in damp areas and grassland, recognisable by its marbled back shield.

A tick goes through three life stages: larva, nymph and adult. At each stage it needs one blood meal to develop further or, as an adult female, to lay eggs. Larvae and nymphs are even smaller than adult ticks and therefore particularly hard to spot — all the more reason to feel for them rather than just look.

How do you recognise a tick bite mark?

A fresh tick bite is usually nothing more than a small red dot. In some dogs, a mild, ring-shaped redness develops around the bite site in the following days (similar to what's known in humans as "erythema migrans"); this doesn't always indicate an infection, but it is a reason to keep a close eye on the spot for the next two to three weeks.

When are ticks active?

Ticks become active as soon as the temperature rises above 7°C and remain active as long as it doesn't freeze. In practice, this means the tick season in the Netherlands runs from roughly March to November, with a clear peak between May and September — exactly the period when dogs spend the most time playing, walking and swimming outdoors. Due to milder winters, ticks are also increasingly appearing year-round. The citizen-science platform Tekenradar.nl (an initiative of the RIVM and Wageningen University & Research) keeps track of tick activity in the Netherlands and is a useful source for checking how high the risk is in your region at any given time.

Where should you check your dog for ticks?

After making contact, ticks often crawl over the coat for a while before attaching themselves, and they prefer spots with thin skin and little fur. Make the checklist below a fixed part of your walking routine.

Image suggestion: a schematic drawing of a dog with the spots where ticks most often attach marked — handy as a visual reference above or alongside this checklist.

Feel with your fingers for small bumps rather than just looking; in thick fur, a tick is easier to feel than to see. A fine-toothed flea and tick comb helps you avoid missing anything on short and medium-length coats.

How long does a tick need to be attached to cause infection?

This is one of the most important questions, because the answer determines how much urgency is needed. For Lyme disease, vets and the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) generally assume that a tick usually needs to be attached for at least 24 to 48 hours before the Borrelia bacterium is actually transmitted. This is because the bacterium only moves into the tick's saliva after the blood meal has begun. Other pathogens, such as Anaplasma, can be transmitted faster than Lyme disease. In practice, this means: the sooner you find and remove a tick, the smaller the chance of infection — hence the importance of a daily check.

Can a dog have several ticks at once?

Yes, especially dogs that often walk through tall grass, undergrowth or woodland can pick up several ticks at once after a single walk. This is an extra reason to check your dog systematically instead of stopping as soon as you've found one — work through the whole checklist, even if you've already removed a tick.

Found a tick? Here's how to remove it safely

If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible. Never pull it out with bare fingers or ordinary tweezers: there's a good chance the head will remain behind or that the tick will release stomach contents into the wound, which actually increases the risk of infection. A dedicated tick remover such as the Trixie Tick Boy Vet tick remover was developed in collaboration with vets and grips the tick exactly at the head, so you can remove it completely with a single, straight, twisting motion. Disinfect the spot afterwards and keep an eye on it over the following days for redness or swelling.

What if the head stays behind?

If a small part of the head or mouthparts does remain, don't panic: your dog's body usually expels this on its own, just like a splinter. Disinfect the spot and keep monitoring it. If swelling, pus or persistent redness develops, contact your vet.

Lyme disease, Anaplasma and other illnesses

Not every tick bite leads to illness, but it's good to know the signs so you can act in time.

Disease	Cause	Possible symptoms	Visible after
Lyme disease (borreliosis)	Borrelia bacterium	Lameness, fever, lethargy, swollen joints	Weeks to months
Anaplasmosis	Anaplasma bacterium	Fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, joint pain	Days to a few weeks
Babesiosis (canine malaria)	Babesia parasite	Pale mucous membranes, dark urine, fever, weakness	Days

Babesiosis occurs in the Netherlands mainly in dogs with a travel history abroad or via the marsh tick in specific regions; if in doubt, ask your vet about the risk in your area.

If in doubt, your vet can take a blood test to check whether an infection is present. If Lyme disease or anaplasmosis is diagnosed, treatment usually involves a course of antibiotics, which works best when started as early as possible. Most dogs recover well from it, especially when the infection is recognised in time — another reason to take symptoms after a tick bite seriously rather than wait and see.

When should you call the vet?

If you're unsure, feel free to call even without clear symptoms — a vet can assess based on the situation whether a check-up or test is advisable.

Puppies, seniors and cats: is it different?

Puppies can pick up ticks and fleas just as easily as adult dogs, but not all prevention products are suitable from birth. Chewable tablets and spot-ons often have a minimum age or weight requirement; always check this on the packaging or ask your vet. Senior dogs and dogs with underlying health issues sometimes benefit from a product without insecticides, such as a small ultrasonic device.

Cats, however, are different: many chemical tick and flea products for dogs contain permethrin, which can be highly toxic to cats. Never use a product developed specifically for dogs on a cat, not even "just a little", and after treating a dog, avoid close contact with housemate cats until the product has fully dried. For multi-pet households, there are products suitable for both dogs and cats, such as the Tickless device.

Fleas in dogs: the other summer problem

Where a tick bite is a one-off event, a flea infestation is a process — and that's often what makes fleas more persistent in practice. An adult flea lays up to 50 eggs per day, which fall off your dog and end up all over the house: in the carpet, the dog bed and the sofa. These eggs hatch into larvae that pupate into a cocoon that can remain dormant for weeks to months and is also resistant to many insecticides. As soon as conditions (warmth, vibration, CO2 from a host) are right, a new adult flea emerges. That's why treating only your dog is often not enough: less than 5% of a flea population is found on the animal itself, with the rest present as eggs, larvae or pupae in the environment.

Prevention: choose the right product for your dog

Prevention is still better than cure, and there's a suitable solution for almost every dog and lifestyle.

For dogs that love a tasty treat, a chewable tablet such as the Adtab chewable tablet is a great solution: one tablet a month protects from the inside out against both ticks and fleas, with no coat treatment needed. If you prefer long-lasting protection without monthly hassle, the Seresto flea and tick collar is a popular choice: this collar provides up to eight months of constant protection and is also water-resistant, ideal for dogs that love to swim. Want something in between these two options? A spot-on such as Amflee Combo is worth considering: drops applied to the skin that provide monthly protection and also eliminate eggs and larvae.

If you'd rather use a product without insecticides — for example for a puppy, a pregnant dog, a dog with sensitive skin, or a household with multiple animal species — a Tickless ultrasonic deterrent device is worth considering. This compact device attaches to the collar and emits ultrasonic sound waves that keep ticks and fleas at a distance, completely poison-free and odourless. Also take a look at the full range of collars and harnesses if you're looking for a new collar to attach the device to.

Comparison: which product suits your dog?

Product	Effective against	Duration	Application	Price from
Adtab chewable tablet	Fleas + ticks	1 month	Chewable tablet	€27.95
Seresto collar	Fleas + ticks	Up to 8 months	Collar	€50.95
Amflee Combo	Fleas + ticks + eggs/larvae	1 month	Spot-on	€20.95
Frontline Frontpro	Fleas + ticks	1 month	Chewable tablet	€41.95
Tickless	Repels (doesn't kill)	Continuous, battery lasts ± 12 months	Ultrasonic device on collar	€25.25

Chewable tablet vs. spot-on

A chewable tablet works from the inside out via the bloodstream and is ideal for dogs that swim often or are bathed regularly, since water has no effect on how it works. A spot-on is applied to the skin and spreads via the skin's natural oils — effective, but protection can diminish with frequent bathing or swimming within the first few days after application.

Tick collar vs. chewable tablet

A tick collar offers months of protection without you having to think about it, but some dogs find a collar around the neck uncomfortable or scratch at it. A chewable tablet requires monthly repetition, but gives you more control and is, for most dogs, a simple, tasty little moment.

Ultrasonic vs. chemical

Chemical products (chewable tablets, spot-ons, collars) actually kill ticks and fleas and are the most extensively researched for effectiveness. Ultrasonic devices repel parasites without chemicals, which is appealing for sensitive dogs, puppies or multi-pet households, but generally offer a less watertight guarantee than a chemical product. Combining the two — for example an ultrasonic device together with regular checks — is, for some owners, the perfect middle ground.

Don't forget the environment and the garden

Treating a dog is only half the job: flea eggs and larvae survive perfectly well in carpets, dog beds and sofas. So also treat your dog's immediate surroundings, especially if you've had fleas before. A household spray such as the one from Beaphar breaks the flea life cycle indoors and prevents a single adult flea from growing into a full infestation. Wash dog beds, blankets and cushion covers at at least 60°C and vacuum rugs and floors weekly — throw the vacuum bag away immediately afterwards, otherwise eggs can survive inside it.

How do you prevent ticks in the garden?

• Keep the grass short, especially along edges, fences and borders.
• Remove leaf litter and log piles, favourite hiding spots for ticks.
• Limit access for wild animals such as hedgehogs and rabbits, which carry ticks in.
• Consider laying a gravel path or wood chip strip between the lawn and the edge of woodland or shrubs — ticks are reluctant to cross this dry, warm surface.

Frequently asked questions

How do you remove a tick from a dog?

Use tick tweezers or a tick remover, grip the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull with a steady, straight or slightly twisting motion. Never pull it out with bare fingers.

Can my dog get sick from a tick?

Yes, ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and (regionally) babesiosis. Not every tick bite leads to infection, but quick and complete removal significantly reduces the risk.

Does a tick collar really work?

Yes, products such as the Seresto collar are clinically tested and provide months of consistent protection. It's important to get the right size and correct fit, though — not too loose, not too tight.

How quickly does a chewable tablet work?

Most chewable tablets such as Adtab start working within a few hours and typically kill fleas and ticks within 12 to 24 hours after they attach or feed.

Can ticks also appear in winter?

Yes. As soon as the temperature rises above 7°C, ticks can become active — even on a mild winter's day. The risk is, however, clearly lower than in the summer months.

Are all tick products also safe for cats?

No. Many dog products contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats. Always use a product that's explicitly declared suitable for cats, or choose a poison-free alternative such as an ultrasonic device.

How much does tick protection for a dog cost on average?

That depends on the product chosen and your dog's weight. A chewable tablet or spot-on costs on average between €17 and €40 per month, while a tick collar (lasting up to eight months) costs between €19 and €59, depending on size. Convert these costs to a monthly amount to compare products fairly.

Should I protect my dog against ticks all year round?

In a temperate climate such as the Netherlands, year-round protection isn't necessary for every dog, but due to milder winters, more and more vets recommend using a prevention product at least from March to November, and preferably all year round — especially if your dog is regularly outdoors in woodland, dunes or tall grass.

Related products and categories

• All products against ticks, fleas and worms
• Dog collars, leads and harnesses
• Dog shampoo and conditioner
• Dog brushes, coat and skin care
• Puppy care

Conclusion

Ticks and fleas simply come with the territory of your dog's outdoor life, but with the right knowledge they don't have to be a constant worry. Check your dog after every walk using the checklist, remove a tick quickly and completely, choose a prevention product that suits their lifestyle and health, and tackle the environment and garden too if needed. That way, you and your dog can enjoy every outdoor adventure worry-free, all year round. Browse our full range against ticks and fleas and find the protection that suits you both.

Sources and further reading: Tekenradar.nl (RIVM & Wageningen University & Research), ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) guidelines for parasite prevention in pets. If you're ever unsure about your dog's health, always consult your own vet.

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